The NPC currently provides recommendations to the NHS on measures to improve cost-effective prescribing. As part of the reform programme set out in the White Paper, Equity and excellence: Liberating the NHS, the DoH and NPC's management examined where the centre's work should sit under the new arrangements.
The NPC posted a statement on its website about the change saying there was 'a strong rationale' for integrating the NPC's work into NICE.
'The NPC and NICE already have a history of close working and we believe integration will further strengthen our work to support the NHS, and those working for it, to improve quality, safety and value for money in the use of medicines for the benefit of patients and the public,' it said.
Plans to begin to move the NPC's work into NICE are planned to begin in April 2011.
